Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research

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How safe is cannabidiol?

June 13, 2019
- General
- Latest
How safe is cannabidiol?

EXTERNAL LINK
How does attending a better school affect cannabis misuse in adolescents?

May 8, 2019
- Latest
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Dudovitz RN, Chung PJ, Reber S, Kennedy D, Tucker JS, Shoptaw S, Dosanjh KK, Wong MD. Assessment of exposure to high-performing schools and risk of adolescent substance use: a natural experiment. JAMA Pediatr 172(12):1135-1144 Accompanying editorial: Liljenquist KS, Coker TR. Addressing risky health behaviors among vulnerable youth through the school environment. Location, location, location. JAMA Pediatric 2018;172(12):1119-1120
Should physicians recommend replacing opioids with cannabis?

May 8, 2019
- Latest
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Humphreys K, Saitz R. Should physicians recommend replacing opioids with cannabis? (Viewpoint) JAMA 2019;321(7):639-640
Does cannabis use among adolescence predict subsequent depression, anxiety, and suicidality in young adulthood?

May 8, 2019
- Latest
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Gobbi G, Atkin T, Zytynski T, Wang S, Askari S, Boruff J, Ware M, Marmorstein N, Cipriani A, Dendukuri N, Mayo N. Association of cannabis use in adolescence and risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidality in young adulthood. A systematic review and met-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry Epub. February 13, 2019
How might genetic variation contribute to different responses to medical cannabis?

May 8, 2019
- Latest
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Hryhorowicz S, Walcsak M, Zakerska-Banaszak O, Slomski R, Skrzypczak-Zielinska M. Pharmacogenetics of cannabinoids. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2018;43:1-2
How do the analgesic effects of cannabis relate to the brain’s neural activity?

May 8, 2019
- Latest
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Weizman L, Dayan L, Brill S, Nahman-Averbuch H, Hendler T, Jacob G, Sharon H. Cannabis analgesia in chronic neuropathic pain is associated with altered brain connectivity. Neurology 2019;91:e1285-e1294
Are Canadian medical cannabis patients using cannabis to treat mental health conditions?

May 8, 2019
- Latest
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Turna J, Simpson W, Patterson B, Lucas P, Van Amerigen M. Cannabis use behaviors and prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in a cohort of Canadian medicinal cannabis users. J Psychiatr Res 2019; 111L134-149
How does cannabis use affect quality of life among patients with head and neck cancers?

May 8, 2019
- Latest
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Zhang H, Xie M, Archibald SD, Jackson BS, Gupta MK. Association of marijuana use with psychosocial and quality of life outcomes among patients with head and neck cancer. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018;144(11):1017-1022
How do the acute effects of cannabis differ between smoking and vaping?

May 8, 2019
- Latest
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Spindle TR, Cone EJ, Schlienz NJ, Mitchell JM, Bigelow GE, Flegel R, Hayes E, Vandrey R. Acute effects of smoked and vaporized cannabis in healthy adults who infrequently use cannabis, a crossover trial. JAMA Network Open 2018;1(7):e184841 Invited commentary: Solowij N. Peering through the haze of smoked vs vaporized cannabis – to vape or not to vape? JAMA Network Open 2018;1(7):e184838
Video Archive of Stakeholder Roundtable and Discussion

October 25, 2018
- Event Summaries
- Latest
The Impact of Impending Cannabis Legalization: A Stakeholder Roundtable and Discussion. An archive of the video footage from the event.

EXTERNAL LINK
Statistics Canada Crowd Sourcing Survey

July 6, 2018
- Latest
In anticipation of the legalization of cannabis Statistics Canada is gathering, compiling and publishing data on both the medical and non-medical use of cannabis. Click to see more and complete the survey.
What are the cognitive effects of cannabis use? A talk by James MacKillop

July 3, 2018
- Event Summaries
- Latest
Dr. James MacKillop provides an overview of the effects of cannabis on cognition, including acute effects, chronic effects, neuroanatomical localization, and practical recommendations.
Does legalizing medical cannabis reduce the number of opoid prescriptions in the US?

May 18, 2018
- Latest
- Research Summaries
Why were these studies conducted? What do these studies add? Is there anything else I should know? Bradford AC, Bradford WD, Abraham A, Adams BG. Association between US state medical cannabis laws and opioid prescribing in the medicare Part D Population. JAMA Intern Med 2018; Published online April 2, 2018 doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.0266 Wen H, Hockenberry JM. Association of medical and adult-use marijuana laws with opioid prescribing for Medicaid enrollees. JAMA Intern Med 2018; Publish online April 2, 2018. Doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.1007.
Conference 2018: Presentation-Jane-Metrik

May 11, 2018
- Event Summaries
- Latest
The pharmacological and expectancy effects of cannabis on problem behaviors. A talk by Jane Metrik, Ph.D. from the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University.
What effects does smoking cannabis have on the respiratory system?

April 27, 2018
- Evidence Briefs
- Latest
This Evidence Brief will summarize what is known about smoking cannabis and its acute and chronic effects on the respiratory system.
Is there an increased risk for fatal car accidents on April 20th?

April 18, 2018
- Latest
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Staples JA, Redelmeier DA. The April 20 cannabis celebration and fatal traffic crashes in the United States [Letter]. JAMA Internal Med 2018; 178(4):459-571
What is the relationship between medical cannabis legalization and opioid-related mortality?

April 6, 2018
- Evidence Briefs
- Latest
Preliminary evidence suggests that legal availability of cannabis for recreational purposes may reduce opioid-related deaths, at least in the short-term.
What does the evidence show about cannabis for veterans with PTSD?

April 2, 2018
- Evidence Briefs
- Latest
A 2016 survey of almost 2,800 regular force veterans found approximately one out of six (16.4%) reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This Evidence Brief reviews the literature regarding prescribing cannabis for PTSD in a veteran popluation.
Welcome to McMaster’s newest research centre

November 1, 2017
- Article
- Latest
Medicinal cannabis has been legal in Canada since 2001 but research has not kept with up with its use and there are significant and concerning gaps in our understanding of its risks and benefits.
Are there any guidelines to lower a person's risk when choosing to use cannabis?

November 1, 2017
- Evidence Briefs
- Latest
Key Takeaways: Cannabis users can reduce the risk of harm by avoiding high-risk practices, most notably: use before early-mid twenties, use of high-THC product, combustion inhalation, daily use, and driving while impaired.
What are some of the chemicals in cannabis sativa?

November 1, 2017
- Evidence Briefs
- Latest
Guest Blogger: Robert T. Gale is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University. He can be reached at galert@mcmaster.ca
Who could benefit from medicinal cannabis?

November 1, 2017
- Evidence Briefs
- Latest
Type “benefits of medical cannabis” into Google and you’ll get links to articles such as “23 Health Benefits of Marijuana” and “50 unexpected benefits of cannabis (you might not know).” Sounds great. Given this sort of hype, it’s not surprising that large proportions of physicians say they had been asked by patients to approve medical cannabis. [...]
Who shouldn't use medicinal cannabis?

November 1, 2017
- Evidence Briefs
- Latest
When recommending any therapy, a healthcare provider and patient need consider both the potential benefits and risks. What information is available to guide them when it comes to medical cannabis? [...]

Fellowship and Studentship Applications Now Open
April 18, 2018
- Archive
The MGD CMCR is offering post doctoral fellowships and graduate trainee studentships.
How much evidence exists to support for medical cannabis as a treatment for various conditions?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Rubin R. Medical marijuana is legal in most states but physicians have little evidence to guide them. JAMA 2017;317(16):1611-1613
What is the history of cannabis as a medicine from a global perspective?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Evidence Briefs
One of the arguments used by those promoting medical cannabis is that it has a long history as a therapeutic agent. Written records of its use in China date back to the first century A.D., although oral traditions suggest it was used by as early as 2700 B.C. [...]
Can cannibinoids be useful in the treatment of epilepsy?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Friedman D, Devinsky O. Cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy. N Engl J Med 2016;374(1):94-5
When is a prescription not a prescription?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Evidence Briefs
Under Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), physicians or nurse practitioners have the authority to write was has been broadly described as “prescriptions” for medical cannabis. But in fact, these are not prescriptions in the traditional sense. [...]
What role does medical cannabis play in treating symptoms experienced by palliative care patients?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Spencer N, Shaw E, Slaven M. Medical cannabis use in an outpatient palliative care clinic: A retrospective chart review. J Pain Manage 2016;9(4):507-513
How accurate is the labeling of medical cannabis products?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Vandrey R, Raber JC, Rabert ME et al. Cannabinoid doses and label accuracy in edible medical cannabis products. JAMA 2015;313(24):2491-2494.
What is PTSD and can cannabis be a helpful treatment?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Shalev A, Liberzon I, Marmar C. Post-traumatic stress disorder. N Engl J Med 2017;376(25):2459-2469
Who should prescribe medicinal cannabis?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Evidence Briefs
Who can prescribe medical cannabis varies substantially according to what country – or even what province or state – in which you live. [...]
Are there health risks of marijuana use?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Volkow ND, Baler RD, Compton WM, Weiss SR. Adverse health effects of marijuana use. N Engl J Med 2014;370(23):2219-27
What’s in your medicinal cannabis?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Evidence Briefs
Health Canada claims it has put into place “some of the most stringent controls on the medical cannabis industry in the world.” Under these regulations, only specific pesticides and fungicides are registered for use by licensed cannabis producers. [...]
How much cannabis can a person use before experiencing detrimental effects?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Curran HV, Freeman TP, Mokrysz C, Lewis DA, Morgan CJ, Parsons LH. Keep off the grass? Cannabis, cognition and addiction. Nat Rev Neurosci 2016; 17(5):293- 306
What are the beliefs, attitudes and practices of rheumatologists with respect to medicinal cannabis?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Evidence Briefs
One out of every five Canadian adults 18 and older has chronic pain, and the most common cause (up to 36% of cases) is arthritis. As of 2015, almost six million Canadian adults have some form of arthritis and the number is expected to increase rapidly as the population ages. [...]
What challenges were faced in California after legalizing cannabis?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Evidence Briefs
In 1996, California became the first U.S. state to legalize medical cannabis with the passage of a public referendum, Proposition 215. [...]
What are the recommended guidelines to use when prescribing opioids for chronic non-cancer pain?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Busse J (ed). The 2017 Canadian guideline for opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. National Pain Centre, McMaster University. 2017.
What role does medical cannabis play in treating chronic pain and related conditions?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Hill KP. Medical marijuana for treatment of chronic pain and other medical and psychiatric problems, a clinical review. JAMA 2015;313(24):2474-83
What role does medical cannabis play in treating anxiety and mood disorders?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know? Turna J, Patterson B, Van Ameringen M. Is cannabis treatment for anxiety, mood, and related disorders ready for prime time? Depress Anxiety 2017;doi: 1002/da.22664 (Epub ahead of print)
What is the history of criminalization and legalization of medicinal cannabis in Canada?
November 1, 2017
- Archive
- Evidence Briefs
The decision to allow or not allow the use of cannabis for medical purposes in Canada is based on objective analysis of the facts, isn’t it? The truth may be surprising. [...]
Does legalizing medical cannabis change recreational cannabis use and the prevelance of cannabis use disorders?
October 30, 2017
- Archive
- Research Summaries
Why was this study conducted? What does this study add? Is there anything else I should know?

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News

How safe is cannabidiol?

How does attending a better school affect cannabis misuse in adolescents?

Should physicians recommend replacing opioids with cannabis?

Does cannabis use among adolescence predict subsequent depression, anxiety, and suicidality in young adulthood?

How might genetic variation contribute to different responses to medical cannabis?

How do the analgesic effects of cannabis relate to the brain’s neural activity?

Are Canadian medical cannabis patients using cannabis to treat mental health conditions?

How does cannabis use affect quality of life among patients with head and neck cancers?

How do the acute effects of cannabis differ between smoking and vaping?

Video Archive of Stakeholder Roundtable and Discussion

Statistics Canada Crowd Sourcing Survey

What are the cognitive effects of cannabis use? A talk by James MacKillop

Does legalizing medical cannabis reduce the number of opoid prescriptions in the US?

Conference 2018: Presentation-Jane-Metrik

What effects does smoking cannabis have on the respiratory system?

Is there an increased risk for fatal car accidents on April 20th?

What is the relationship between medical cannabis legalization and opioid-related mortality?

What does the evidence show about cannabis for veterans with PTSD?

Welcome to McMaster’s newest research centre

Are there any guidelines to lower a person's risk when choosing to use cannabis?

What are some of the chemicals in cannabis sativa?

Who could benefit from medicinal cannabis?

Who shouldn't use medicinal cannabis?